Central Bohemian Region Research Articles

An exploratory gallery for Luka tunnel on the D3 motorway

The Luka tunnel is designed for the 0302 Jílové – Hostěradice section of the D3 motorway. This has a length of 1843m and will consist of two tunnel tubes of T 9.5/100 category. It is proposed that a 1354m long exploratory gallery be put in place in the left-hand tunnel tube. It will be used for detailed geotechnical exploration in a rock environment that has been negatively affected by past mining activities. The exploratory gallery will be constructed using a procedure that will limit the possible stability risks during its excavation. The knowledge gained from the excavation of the gallery and from the comprehensive survey operations undertaken will serve as the essential basis for the reliable design and safe construction of the tunnel tubes. The current state of the D3 motorway differs greatly along its individual sections. The more southerly located sections D 305/II (Nová Hospoda) to D 309 (Úsilné) are in operation. Section D 310 Úsilné – Hodějovice with the České Budějovice bypass is under construction, and the construction in the direction of Austria has not yet proceeded [1]. The situation is very disappointing particularly in the Central Bohemian region, even though exploration operations are underway to a limited extent in sections D 301 to D 305/I, as construction has not yet started due to problems with obstructions or objections by activists of various types. The problem is that it is demonstrable that the existing road I/3, which is also part of the main international road route E55, is already completely inadequate both in terms of capacity and in terms of its alignment running through several developed residential complexes. After the completion of the D3 motorway, this road will be usable as an alternative diversion route without major modifications in the event of a required closure of the motorway.

Accuracy of Double Bark Thickness Estimation Methods Used in Spruce—(Picea abies L. Karst) Timber Production in Czechia

The accurate estimation of bark thickness is important for foresters for several reasons. It is crucial for timber volume estimation and can help improve the quality of forestry records, and bark has a growing commercial importance as a high-value bioresource. The problem is that models such as the Czech Cubic Tables (CCT) polynomial model are frequently unique. Furthermore, the official method requires rounding down the midspan over-bark diameter (DOB) to the nearest centimetre to estimate the double bark thickness (DBT) and merchantable timber volume. Therefore, we verified the significance of the effects of rounding down the midspan DOB on DBT using a dataset of 438 recently harvested Norway spruce (Picea Abies L. Karst.) logs from the Central Bohemian region. The correlation analysis showed that for measured data without rounding down the diameters, the variability of the DBT was able to explain only 8% of the DOB variability. As for the rounded-down data, the coefficient of determination was slightly higher, reaching 9%. The paired-samples T-tests showed a significant difference between the DBT as calculated directly from measured data and that from the rounded-down over-bark diameters (p < 0.05). The polynomial and linear models underestimated the DBT (2.24 and 1.75 mm on average, respectively) on measured data. In contrast, for data from the rounded-down DOB, the models overestimated the DBT (2.70 or 3.18 mm on average, respectively).

Life in a Contaminated Environment: How Soil Nematodes Can Indicate Long-Term Heavy-Metal Pollution.

We investigated the genera, trophic groups, and functional guilds of soil nematodes at five alluvial meadows along the Litavka River in the Czech Republic to assess their usefulness as indicators of heavy metal pollution in soils. The Litavka River flows around the waste-sedimentation pond of a smelter in the city of Příbram in the Central Bohemian Region. Lead, zinc, and arsenic are the main pollutants in the soils in the vicinity of the smelter. The alluvial meadows closest to the pond and mine waste were the most heavily polluted sites, and contamination decreased downstream along the river with increasing distance from the sources of pollution. The nematode communities were sensitive to pollution, with the most contaminated sites having considerably fewer nematode individuals, fewer genera, and a less diverse and more degraded food web with less nematode biomass. Arsenic, lead, and zinc contents were significantly negatively correlated with the numbers of bacterivores, predators, omnivores, plant parasites, and fungivores, which were significantly less abundant at highly polluted sites. This correlation suggests that nematode groups with higher c-p values, and those with c-p 1 and 2 designations, can be useful indicators of high heavy-metal contamination in areas polluted for a long time. In contrast, the abundance of c-p 3 plant parasitic nematodes was positively correlated with copper, nickel, and zinc contents and with soil-moisture content in the alluvial meadows. Maturity index (MI) and MI2-5 were the most sensitive indices of the degree of disturbance of the soil ecosystem, with enrichment index, structure index, and basal index indicating the altered decomposition channels and diminished structure of the food web.

What Will You Be Like, Prague of the Year 2000? The Prague – Central Bohemian Agglomeration Plan in the Contextof Political Changes at the Turn of the 1960s and the 1970s

A new spatial plan for Prague was adopted in 1964. During the approval process, the government took into account the recommendations of experts in urbanism, and, in the interest of the areas’ economic revival, took the first administrative steps towards a planned interconnection of the city’s economy with that of the neighbouring Central Bohemian Region. […]

Future forest fires as functions of climate change and attack time for central Bohemian region, Czech Republic

This paper presents a new analysis of how global warming may affect the size of forest fires through its effects on air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. The effects of attack time on the size of the final burned area were also determined simultaneously in the statistical analysis. Two nonlinear functions determining the size of fires in the Prague-East District of the Czech Republic were estimated, based on a set of explanatory variables including air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and attack time. The functions were determined by multiple regression analysis combined with logarithmic transformations. The effects of climate change scenarios on future forest fires were calculated using the estimated fire-size function. The results show that if global warming leads to increased air temperature, reduced humidity, and stronger winds, we can expect larger fires. According to climate change scenarios, an upturn in the size of fires is predicted over this century. While we can control the fire by reducing the attack time, the results also show that if firefighters can reach a fire more quickly, the size of the fire will be reduced. If forest management methods, infrastructure, and fire brigade capacity are not adapted to the new climate, larger areas can be expected to be destroyed by fire.

Using soil quality indicators to assess their production and ecological functions

The project dealt with an evaluation of the soil quality in the Central Bohemian Region in the Czech Republic. The relevant attributes and characteristics were found regarding the soils in this selected area. Based on the data from soil probes, climate characteristics, soil production function and data on the land use, the characteristics, known as soil quality indicators, were selected. Then the soils were sorted into groups which indicated their suitability for the best land use and planning. The characteristics of the soils that contributed the most to the ecosystem services provided by this part of the environment were chosen as the soil quality indicators. In order to find out how the soils are able to provide ecosystem services, two types of approaches were used – the average score and the total amount of points gained. Maps indicating the soil quality were created using the ArcGIS program. At the same time, research on the differences in the quality in two different layers of the soil was carried out. In most cases, there was a decrease in the soil quality with an increasing depth. The results of this project can be used as a basis for a new soil valuation in the Czech Republic.

Supergenní mineralizace hydrotermálního Ag-Pb-Zn ložiska Hříva u Louňovic pod Blaníkem (Česká republika)

At the Ag-Pb-Zn deposit Hříva near Louňovice pod Blaníkem (Central Bohemian Region, Czech Republic), supergene mineralization with relatively abundant samples of coronadite, pyromorphite and hinsdalite was newly detected. Coronadite forms black to several mm thick crusts on quartz vein or hinsdalite crusts. Coronadite is monoclinic, space group I2/m, the unit-cell parameters refined from X-ray powder diffraction data are: a 9.946, b 2.866(2), c 9.839 Å, β 90.34(2)° and V 280.4(4) Å3. Chemical analyses of coronadite correspond to the empirical formula (Pb1.32Na0.05Co0.03Ba0.02K0.01Ca0.01Mg0.01)Σ1.45Mn4+5.25(Mn3+1.95Al0.38Cu0.30 Fe0.08Si0.02Zn0.01P0.01)Σ2.74 (O15.82F0.17mCl0.01)Σ16 calculated on the basis (Mn+Fe+Al+Cu+Zn+Si+P) = 8 apfu. Pyromorphite occurs there as white to creamy crusts up to 2 mm thick. Its empirical formula calculated on the basis P+As = 3 apfu is Ca0.04Pb5.04[(PO4)2.98(AsO4)0.02]Σ3.00Cl1.14. Most interesting is relatively rare hinsdalite, which forms light green to blue-green crystalline crusts up to 0.1 mm thick on quartz or pyromorphite. Hinsdalite is trigonal, space group R-3m, the unit-cell parameters refined from X-ray powder diffraction data are: a 7.002(6), c 16.807(7) Å and V 713.6(7) Å3. Chemical analyses of hinsdalite correspond to the empirical formula Pb1.06Al2.73Cu0.11 [(PO4)1.18(SO4)0.82]Σ2.00(OH)6.36 on the basis P+S+As = 2 apfu.

Gottwaldovy pomníky ve Středočeském kraji

This text explores the construction of monuments in Czechoslovakia in the 1970s and 1980s, detailing the history of all four monuments to the first Czechoslovak communist president Klement Gottwald in the Central Bohemian Region. Based on archival research, this paper attempts to unveil the practices of post-1968 memory policy at regional level. In four main sections, the text traces, in succession, the construction of ideologically motivated works in the towns of Příbram, Pečky, Rakovník and Nymburk, bringing the decision-making processes of the communist party and state authorities at local and national level under scrutiny. Cumbersome bureaucracy combined with chronic supply difficulties and the excessive workload of approved artists caused several years of delays to projects endorsed by the regime. Owing to their close ties to the communist regime, all four sculptures were removed from public display shortly after November 1989, i.e. after the fall of communism, but they were not destroyed. Their different fates − from being a gallery exhibit to ending up in a technical services warehouse − open up questions about the meaningful use of similar artefacts.

First isolation of Borrelia lusitaniae DNA from green lizards (Lacerta viridis) and Ixodes ricinus ticks in the Czech Republic

This study aimed to reveal whether green lizards (Lacerta viridis), common hosts of tick larvae and nymphs, might be involved in the transmission cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in the Czech Republic. Green lizards were sampled in two areas at the Tiché Údolí Nature Reserve (site A: 50.1482 N, 14.3669E; site B: 50.1476 N, 14.3745 E), Central Bohemian Region, Czech Republic. The skin biopsy specimens and attached ticks (if any) were collected from 52 captured lizards. Also, questing ticks from both areas were collected by flagging. The touchdown polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis revealed Borrelia lusitaniae in three lizard tissue samples. Most lizards (19/30, 63%) had at least one Borrelia positive tick. Borrelia lusitaniae formed 92% (34/37) and 59% (17/29) of all borreliae detected in larvae and nymphs, respectively. Borrelia lusitaniae (6/10, 60%) was also the major pathogen in questing nymphs from site B. At site A, 13% (2/16) of questing nymphs were positive for B. lusitaniae. Based on our data, it can be assumed that B. lusitaniae is a common pathogen at lizard sites in the Czech Republic, and further research to prove this hypothesis is therefore highly recommended. As lizards often inhabit urban areas, the data presented may also contribute to raising awareness of the possible spread and risk of Borrelia infection.

Cosmas Pragensis Chronica Bohemorum

<i>Cosmas Pragensis Chronica Bohemorum</i>

Marketing Capabilities and Performance of Companies: A Case Study of The Czech Retail Sector During The Covid-19 Crisis

Marketing capabilities are related to the performance of companies; however, it is still unclear how and to what extent. Resource-Based View (RBV) assumes a relatively straightforward relationship between specific individual skills and resources to maximize net profit. The Dynamic Capabilities View theory assumes synergistic effects between skills and other resources in the company and the relationship of marketing skills may not be straightforward. This paper uses the period of the covid-19 pandemic to evaluate the relationship between marketing skills and their impact on the productivity of companies and technical efficiency of net profit. A questionnaire survey conducted in 2019 focused on enterprises operating in the Retail sector except motor vehicles (NACE 47) with a branch in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. The results of the data envelopment analysis and the subsequent regression analyses suggest the existence of a relatively direct influence of market research capabilities on the performance of companies. It can be assumed that the other marketing skills are rather dynamic components within the theory of DCV.

Evaluation of Hybrid Constructed Wetland Performance and Reuse of Treated Wastewater in Agricultural Irrigation

Agriculture is being negatively affected by the decrease in precipitation that has been observed over the last few years. Even in the Czech Republic, farmers are being urged to irrigate their fields despite the fact that sources of water for irrigation are rapidly being depleted. This problem might be partially solved via the reuse of treated wastewater in certain agricultural sectors. However, the public perception of the reuse of wastewater remains negative primarily due to unknown risks to the environment and public health. To overcome this barrier, a semi-operated irrigation field was established at Kostelec nad Ohří in the Central Bohemian region of the Czech Republic and planted with common garden crops such as tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum), potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) and lettuces (Lactuca sativa L.) irrigated with two different water sources, i.e., treated wastewater from a local nature-based treatment system, a hybrid constructed wetland (HCW), and local fresh water from well. The HCW was put into operation in 2017 and was reconstructed in 2018 and includes both horizontal and vertical flow beds; the trial irrigation field was added in the same year. The reconstruction of the facility significantly enhanced the removal efficiency with respect to all monitored parameters, e.g., biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), N–NH4+, total N and the suspended solids (TSS), except for total P. The HCW also ensured the significant removal of several observed pathogenic microorganisms (E. coli, intestinal enterococci and thermotolerant coliforms). During the 2018 and 2019 growing seasons, we observed the significantly enhanced growth of the crops irrigated with wastewater from the HCW due to the fertilizing effect. The risks associated with the contamination of crops irrigated with treated water are not negligible and it is necessary to pay sufficient attention to them, especially when introducing irrigation with wastewater into practice.

How High Is the Recreation Value of Successional Forests Growing Spontaneously on Coal Mine Spoil Heaps?

Research highlights: Recreation value increases with the age of replanted as well as successional forests. Successional forests are not systematically less valuable for recreation than replanted forests. Succession may be used as a viable and low-cost reclamation practice of spoil heaps. Background and objectives: Afforestation has been a popular practice in post-mining land reclamation in the Czech Republic. To expand the current evidence on the recreation values of reclaimed forests, we conducted a valuation study for most typical reclaimed forests, as well as for successional forests spontaneously growing on surface coal mine deposit heaps. Using two distinct measurement methods, we also explore whether the estimated recreation value of forests is robust. Materials and Methods: An online survey was conducted in 2016 on a sample of residents living in the vicinity of coal mine deposit heaps, residents of the adjacent region of Karlovy Vary, and a control population from the central Bohemian region. Participants evaluated visual representations of forest stands typical for reclamation and succession, along with commercial spruce forest as a reference type. In the direct measurement, we measured the attractiveness of a respective forest for a walk using a 5-point scale. In the indirect measurement, a hypothetical choice between two forests for a walk was elicited in a discrete choice experiment. Results: Both direct and indirect measurements provide similar results. All reclaimed forests have a lower recreation value than the reference spruce forest. Successional forests are not systematically less valuable for recreation than replanted forests and the recreation value of both types increases with their age. The age, gender, and education of the participants did not affect the recreation value of a forest. Conclusions: We demonstrate that succession may be used as a viable and low-cost reclamation practice of spoil heaps emerging as a by-product of open-cast coal mining. With recreation as only one of many forest uses, our findings need to be interpreted vis-à-vis the objectives and expected results for individual sites and their habitat conditions.

Research into online marketing activities and tools for measuring their efficiency by entrepreneurs in the czech republic

The 21st century has brought dramatic changes to the work and personal lives of people regarding the existing traditional forms of how to manufacture, how to provide services to customers, how to communicate with customers, business partners, and with each other. The Central Bohemian Association of Managers and Entrepreneurs (STAMP), established in 2002 as an organization for women entrepreneurs from Prague and the Central Bohemian Region, as well as other regions, has identified differences in the use of online marketing of its members operating in small and medium-sized enterprises, especially among self-employed entrepreneurs. In this way, STAMP tries to map out the reality and determine the level of readiness in the segment of small and medium-sized enterprises and self-employed persons (freelancers) for the emerging sector of Industry 4.0 in the area of awareness of its existence, real knowledge, and the use of online marketing activities to communicate with customers and business partners. The study also suggests that being aware of the possibilities of measuring effectiveness and the real use of the information obtained will lead to an increase in the effectiveness of marketing itself and to a greater competitiveness in the market. STAMP implemented a pilot project with the support of the authors of this article between August and October 2019, and from January to March 2020 using AMBIS, Ltd. and Skoda Auto University’s own marketing research. This paper proves that a relationship exists between the use of marketing online tools and the size of companies. The study provides evidence that ICT tools are an essential part of online marketing activities as an important part of the entrepreneurs’ e-commerce endeavors.

Public leadership and strategies of Czech municipalities during the COVID-19 pandemic – municipal activism vs municipal passivism

PurposeThis paper discusses the role of public leadership and the strategic response of local governments to the external shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors examine the typical Czech response with regard to how the leadership of municipalities in the Czech Republic responded to this extremely negative external stimulus.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use qualitative research methods for this investigation. They have chosen the case study method (see Yin, 2009; Stake, 1995; Klonoski, 2013). The general case is the Czech Republic. Mini-cases consist of municipalities from the Znojmo region, municipalities of the Central Bohemian region and the municipal districts in the capital city of Prague. Furthermore, the method of participant observation was used.FindingsThe authors’ analysis of the problem of local government responses to the pandemic crisis shows that municipal leaders responded with a variety of (non-)adaptation strategies. It appears that certain framework factors influenced the various local governments' behavior.Originality/valueThe article examines the strategic behavior of Czech municipal leaders regarding the pandemic crisis based on the observation of the reactions of local governments in the Czech Republic to the pandemic crisis and strives to define their basic strategies.

Seasonal Dynamics and Winter Occurrence of Non-native Species - Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) in the Czech Republic

The study aims to evaluate changes in occurrence of the Mandarin Duck, Aix galericulata (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Czech Republic in 2008–2019 with focus on winter months (December, January and February) 2007/08–2018/19. Seasonal dynamics of occurrence was evaluated for years 2008–2019 by comparison of 3831 observations. The highest number of observations comes from winter period (36.7%), if we exclude data from South Moravian Region (with whole year occurrence), it is 48%. In winters 2007/08–2018/19 occurrence of 772 birds was detected, most of them with determined gender – 469 males (63.4%) and 271 females (36.6%). In winter periods 2007/08–2010/11 the occurrence was concentrated in the Central Bohemian Region (Vltava river). Since the winter 2011/12 the centre of occurrence was in the South Moravian Region which is related with a formation of stable breeding population in that region. Pattern of the highest number of observations in a winter period lasts but the highest numbers of observed birds are possibly of the Czech origin.

Influence of No-Till Technology on Reducing Soil Degradation During Sorghum Cultivation

Abstract Soil degradation and water erosion are undoubtedly serious global problems. Moreover, excessive surface runoff and the lack of water in landscape are problems encountered not only in the Czech agricultural land. This condition is unsustainable in the long-term and it is necessary to find, verify and quantify suitable agricultural methods for reducing soil degradation. In this study, we tested two soil conservation technologies for sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) cultivation. Our results show that erosion was reduced by more than 78% (no-till) and 89% (no-till: narrow row) in rainfall simulation on naturally moist soil compared to conventional cultivation. Also, the use of conservation technologies reduced surface runoff (52% no-till, 68% no-till: narrow row). Sorghum has similar agronomic requirements as maize but it has the advantage of a good dryness tolerance and a high water use efficiency. The two-year research (2014, 2017) took place in the Central Bohemian Region. Soil degradation was verified using a rainfall simulator. The results have shown that both no-till technologies have a significant (P &lt; 0.05) soil conservation effect.

Qualitative Research of Violent Incidents Toward Young Paramedics in the Czech Republic.

IntroductionPrehospital and emergency medical services (EMS) providers are usually the first to respond to an individual’s urgent health needs, sometimes in emotionally charged circumstances. Because violence toward EMS providers in the Czech Republic is often overlooked and under-reported, we do not have a complete understanding of the extent of such violence, nor do we have recommendations from EMS professional organizations on how to resolve this problem in prehospital emergency medicine.MethodsWe conducted this study to explore the process of violence against EMS providers, using the Strauss/Corbin systematic approach of grounded theory to create a paradigm model. The participants in this research included personnel who had at least two years experience in the EMS systems of the city of Prague and the Central Bohemian Region, and who had been victims of violence. Our sample included 10 registered paramedics and 10 emergency medical technicians ages 23–33 (mean ± standard deviation: 27.7). The impact of communication during EMS delivery, in the context of violence from patients or their relatives, emerged as the core category and the main focus of our study. The five main groups of the paradigm model of violence against EMS personnel included causal, contextual and intervening conditions, strategies, and consequences.ResultsOf the 20 study participants, 18 reported experiencing an attack during the night shift. Ten participants experienced violence on the street, and 10 inside an ambulance. The perpetrators in all 18 cases were men. The behavior of EMS personnel plays a crucial role in how violent confrontations play out: nonprofessional behavior with drunken or addict patients increases the possibility of violence in 70% of cases.ConclusionWe found that paramedics and EMTs were exposed to verbal abuse and physical violence. However, in 10 of the violent encounters reported by our 20 participants, the attack was perpetrated by otherwise-ordinary people (ie, individuals with strong family support and good jobs) who found themselves in a very stressful situation. Thanks to grounded theory we learned that for all 20 participants there was a potential opportunity to prevent the conflict.

Evaluation of the SWAT model as an integrated management tool in the Švihov drinking water supply catchment

Švihov dam, the largest drinking water source in the Czech Republic and Central Europe, has problems with eutrophication. The Švihov dam catchment spreads over 1200 km&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; and supplies over 1.5 million people in the capital of Prague and the Central Bohemian region with drinking water. Due to intensive agricultural activities and a lack of wastewater treatment plants in small settlements, the water quality is deteriorating. As a result, corrective measures need to be taken. Technological Agency of the Czech Republic supported this research which proposes different scenarios for a reduction of water quality degradation in the dam. The Trnávka dam watershed was chosen for study purposes as it occupies one quarter of the Švihov dam watershed. Hydrological balance was established using measured data. Point and non-point sources of nutrients were determined by field research and included in a Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. This study aims to propose complex watershed management to improve the state of the environment in the entire area and to reduce eutrophication. Different management practices would reduce nutrient loads of streams and increase water quality which is the critical factor in dam eutrophication. This research brings methodology and systematic approach to integrated management, and can be applied not only for the Švihov dam, but also for other watersheds, including those which function as drinking water supply.

POSSIBILITIES OF PROCESSING ARCHIVAL PHOTOGRAMMETRIC IMAGES CAPTURED BY ROLLEI 6006 METRIC CAMERA USING CURRENT METHOD

Abstract. Processing of analog photogrammetric negatives using current methods brings new challenges and possibilities, for example, creation of a 3D model from archival images which enables the comparison of historical state and current state of cultural heritage objects. The main purpose of this paper is to present possibilities of processing archival analog images captured by photogrammetric camera Rollei 6006 metric. In 1994, the Czech company EuroGV s.r.o. carried out photogrammetric measurements of former limestone quarry the Great America located in the Central Bohemian Region in the Czech Republic. All the negatives of photogrammetric images, complete documentation, coordinates of geodetically measured ground control points, calibration reports and external orientation of images calculated in the Combined Adjustment Program are preserved and were available for the current processing. Negatives of images were scanned and processed using structure from motion method (SfM). The result of the research is a statement of what accuracy is possible to expect from the proposed methodology using Rollei metric images originally obtained for terrestrial intersection photogrammetry while adhering to the proposed methodology.